#turn-o-graph

60 years ago... Rolex Turn-O-Graph pilot watch. Rolex had patented "Turn-O-Graph" on November 24, 1953 and between 1955 to 1960, the gentleman's watch with rotating bezel became the official pilot watch of the US Air Force "Thunderbirds" aerobatic display team. In 1963, USAF Capt Michael Collins was selected as NASA astronaut in Group 3 and already wore his personal Rolex Turn-O-Graph during NASA training in May 1964. Collins continued to do so during astronaut training for Gemini VII, Gemini X and Apollo 11. This November 1965 photo shows NASA astronauts James Lovell, Frank Borman, Michael Collins and Edward White during slide wire training at Launch Complex 19 at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Note Michael Collins wore his Rolex Turn-O-Graph 6202. In later life, Michael Collins wore a Gold Rolex Day-Date. (Photo: NASA 104-KSC-65C-8689)

60 years ago... March 1965 USAF test pilot Michael Collins, selected in 1963 NASA astronaut group 3, "The Fourteen", photographed during a study visit at MIT Laboratory in Cambridge Massachusetts. During project Gemini Collins was responsable for "pressure suits and EVA" (Extra Vehicular Activity = spacewalk). Already in Test Pilot school (class 60C together with Frank Borman) Collins wore a Rolex watch and NASA photographs 1964 onwards, clearly show him wearing his Rolex Turn-O-Graph during astronaut training for Gemini VII, Gemini X, Apollo 3 (which became Apollo 8) and last but not least Apollo 11. (Photo: NASA)

1968, December 24 ... Christmas with Apollo 8 Five NASA astronauts man the CapCom - Capsule Communicator console in the MOCR - Mission Operations Control Room at the Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston Texas. Astronauts Michael Collins, Kenneth Mattingly, Harrison Schmitt, Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin look on as Collins was CapCom at that moment. Vance Brand, Gerald Carr and Fred Haise later also acted as Apollo 8 CapCom. On December 21, Apollo 8  had entered Lunar orbit and after circling the Moon 10 times on Christmas Eve, it was time to come home. On Christmas morning, NASA awaited confirmation that Apollo 8's engine burn to leave Lunar orbit had worked successfully. Note, during that important moment, Michael Collins was still wearing his personal Rolex Turn-O-Graph pilot watch on steel Oyster bracelet. (Photo: NASA)

April 28, 2021 … RIP astronaut Michael Collins… Gemini X (July 1966) and Apollo 11 (July 1969) NASA astronaut Michael Collins, who orbited the Moon during the world’s first lunar landing mission, passed away at the age of 90. Collins graduated from the United States Military Academy - West Point Class 1952, joined the USAF as a testpilot and was selected in NASA’s third group of astronauts in 1963. During his two spaceflight missions, Michael Collins accumulated 11 days 2 hours in space. This July 1965 Press briefing photo shows Michael Collins as Gemini VII backup astronaut wearing his personal Rolex Turn-O-Graph pilot wristwatch. Collins wore this Rolex toolwatch during Gemini and Apollo training between May 1964 and June 1969. (Photo: NASA)

Summer 1968… Prime & backup Apollo 8 astronauts The prime & backup astronauts for the first manned spaceflight of the Apollo program into Lunar orbit visited MIT laboratory to catch up on technical details and innovations. Some astronauts even studied for a PhD in Aeronautics! Front row astronauts from left to right; James Lovell (Omega Speedmaster), Frank Borman (Omega Speedmaster), Michael Collins (Rolex Turn-O’Graph), William Anders (Omega Speedmaster), Neil Armstrong (Omega Speedmaster) and Edwin Buzz Aldrin. (Photo: MIT Lab/Draper)

65 years ago... Bill Pogue & USAF Thunderbirds The USAF Thunderbirds display team was created in May 1953, flying the Republic F-84G. Originally named the Stardusters, the name was quickly changed in Thunderbirds as the team flew its first aerobatic  display in June 1953. By 1956 the North American F-100C Super Sabre swept-wing jet made the Thunderbirds the world’s first supersonic demo team. By that time, the USAF provided the Thunderbirds pilots with a stainless steel & white Gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust with turnable bezel. This Rolex Datejust watch came in two "Thunderbirds" logo versions, with the logo at 9 and logo at 6 o'clock position as seen in the well-known 1958 advert showing the Thunderbirds F-100C Super Sabre jets diving in close diamond formation. Some pilots received an 18karat Gold version of the Thunderbirds logo Rolex Datejust pilot watch. This photo shows the 1956-57 aerobatic team with at lower right 1st Lieutenant William Pogue as slot/solo display pilot. In 1966 William “Bill” Pogue was selected a NASA-astronaut. (Photos: USAF)

52 years ago… astronaut Michael Collins centrifuge training USAF retired MajGeneral Michael Collins got his bachelor degree at the USMA West Point in 1952 and went on to become a NASA astronaut, flying on Gemini X and as Apollo 11 Command Module Pilot onboard CSM “Columbia” in July 1969. MoonwatchUniverse noted that Collins has been wearing a Rolex wristwatch since at least 1964 as he wore his Rolex Turn-O-Graph during Gemini geology training, Apollo centrifuge training and public events related to the space program. Training for Apollo 11, Michael Collins was photographed during centrifuge training in the Flight Acceleration Facility at the Manned Spaceflight Center in Houston Texas. This gondola could seat three occupants in order to train G-forces resistance astronauts would face during launch & re-entry phases of a spaceflight mission. Note Collins was wearing his Rolex Turn-O-Graph wristwatch. TheTurn-O-Graph was Rolex’s first toolwatch, worn by  many of the world’s aviation elite, among whom the USAF “Thunderbirds” display team.   (Photo: NASA)